While the Clinical & Translational Research Building has been open for about four months, the University of Louisville just announced that the high profile structure on Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Hancock Street has received LEED Gold certification for sustainable architecture.
The University originally hoped to secure LEED Silver for the 288,000 square foot, $143.1 million facility, but was bumped up up to the second highest level (behind Platinum) after achieving 41 LEED credits (of 39 required for Gold) ranging from use of natural light and ventilation, energy efficient lights, a reflective white roof, and on-site showers and bike racks.
The structure was designed by lead architects Arrasmith, Judd, Rapp, Chovan, Inc. of Louisville and design and lab consultants SmithGroup of Detroit. Architect Arne Judd, principal and LEED AP with Arrasmith, says the CTR is the first LEED certified research building in Kentucky and is the largest new construction Gold certified research building in the country. It’s one of only 33 LEED certified research buildings in the United States.
One of the most unique sustainable features of the building is its reuse of water condensate from air handling units. All of those drops of water created by air conditioning add up in a building this large and a system has been installed to capture the extra water and use it for irrigation of landscaping areas. (Check out some other sustainable credits in the building over here.)
News of the Gold certification level is certainly welcome and represents U of L’s stated commitment to green architecture. There are only two other Gold certified projects in Louisville (the CMTA Building and the GBBN Offices) and Judd says the CTR is the first LEED certified building at the University, but U of L is currently pursuing certification of additional new projects.
Nearby, the Dental School addition and renovation, the Biosafety Lab at ShelbyHurst, and the Duthie Center for Engineering are all seeking certification. The U of L web site also says a new parking garage adjacent to the CTR is also implementing green concepts although LEED does not apply to parking garages.
